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When considering the purchase of a new computer, many people find themselves asking - should I buy a desktop or laptop computer? I buy over one hundred computers a year for my clients, and am often asked this same question. In this article I will share with you the same advice I give my clients.

Cost Considerations

laptops are generally speaking, more expensive than desktops. A similarly equipped laptop going to cost at least 25% more initially, but the lifetime of the average laptop is generally shorter than than the lifetime of the average desktop. Face it - laptops are fragile, and the inevitible bumps and bruises eventually take their toll. The bottom line is, the portability of a laptop comes at a premium price.

Some people create a "home space" for their laptops, with include such accessories and peripherals as an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, scanner, and/or printer. If you can afford it, this scenario gives you the best of both worlds.

Speed

laptops, generally speaking, are slower than desktops. There are many factors that go into the speed of a computer, and obviously some laptops are faster than some desktops. However, generally speaking:

-- laptops are designed to run on battery power. Their components begin to power down after brief periods of non-use, and it takes time for them to come back to life.

-- All but the high end laptop hard drives are 5400rpm, whereas entry level desktop hard drives are 7200rpm. More RPMS means more speed, but also requires more power.

-- laptop processors use much less energy...and therefore can't perform as many operations in the same amount of time as a desktop processor.

Do you NEED Portability?

If you don't need the portability, get a desktop. I have clients who paid big money for a high dollar laptop, docking station, separate keyboard, mouse, and monitor...only to have it sit on their desk. Maybe portability to you means you like to sit on the couch at night and surf the web - fine. (I do that myself!) but if your computer is not going to move, save the money and get a faster computer - buy a desktop.

Ergonomics

Due to the very nature of laptops, they do not typically provide as good of ergonomics as desktop machines. If you spend a lot of time on your computer, and plan to buy a laptop, you may need to create a space with good ergonomics to work. There are many resources on the web to help you do this - just Google ergonomics.

Theft

Another consideration is the possibility of theft. laptops are at the top of the list for petty thieves, and you must guard them carefully when you are out and about. There are theft recovery systems such as Lojack available to help you recover your computer if stolen, for a price.

summary

The decision of whether to buy a laptop or a desktop is an important one. Carefully consider your budget and the other points discussed above, and then make the right decision for you. Once you have your new computer, visit my website for plenty of other great information on keeping it running fast and smoothly.

Rich Pryor has been an I.T. Consultant for nearly 20 years, and is the author of numerous articles and books, including Computer Secrets Unleashed! For tips, tricks, and a free download of "The Top 15 Computer Mistakes", visit SelfGeek.com

If you're a passionate golfer or an avid follower of the sport, you've probably heard players complain about their problem with their golf swing particularly their 'slicing' problem. It is probably the most prevalent swinging issue that all golfers regardless of golfing tenure, will have to go through.

The most common error of amateur golfers is that they prematurely open their shoulder on the downswing path. this causes the slice by the club hitting the ball with an open clubface.

And if the flight of your ball travels to the right inadvertently, this is what is normally called a 'push slice'. More often than not this occurs when the body outpaces the club head.

In order to prevent this, you can try hitting the ball standing on one leg during your practice sessions. The goal of this exercise is to help you maintain your balance and find your center of gravity. While standing on your left foot, for right-handed players, and then practice your swings. This maybe an awkward position at first, and it will take some time in getting used to. But once you get the hang of hit, it should greatly improve you balance and prevent the 'push slice' effect on your swing.

You can practice day in and day out and spend tremendous amounts time on the course or the driving range but if you're not in the right frame of mind, you probably will not get too far in the sport, much less see an improvement in your swing.

More than anything else, golf is a mental game. Although you are playing against other individuals, it is the course that ultimately offers the challenge. Unlike in other sports, your opponents will not block or deter your aim or your progress in anyway. However, the course itself will cause you to plan your strategy. It is the determining factor in how you take your shot and where you aim the ball.

This is the reason why Golfers often say that as a player you are up against the course and not the people on the tour.

Having said this, the right frame of mind is a crucial aspect in curing a slicing problem and improves your overall game.

For tips to cure a golf slice, visit http://www.curegolfslice.net

There are 4 steps a golfer will need to consider when he is looking for ways to improve his or her golf swing techniques. They need to look at their stance, the swing itself, the way they contact with the ball and the follow through at the end of the swing. Unfortunately in order to build up the best technique possible when it comes to your golf swing this will take time and is not likely to occur over night.

In this article we will be taking a closer look at the 4 steps a play should be using in order to help improve their golf swing.

Step 1 Stance
This is where the power of your swing begins from and so if you stand in a strong well balanced way you will find that as you swing the club you are able to gain more power and the ball will travel further.

The easiest way to ensure that your stance is correct is by walking up to a golf ball with your club in your hand and then get yourself prepared ready to hit the ball. It is important that when you stand with your feet at about a shoulder width distance and then lay the club down so that the shaft is touching each of your feet. By doing this you will see in which direction you are going to drive the ball and so you can adjust the way in which you stand if you find that the club is not actually pointing in the right direction.

Step 2 swing
It is important that if you want to improve your golf swing technique you need to actually evaluate the swing itself. The best way to do this is by videoing yourself and seeing how you are actually swinging through to hit the ball. It is important that you ensure that your torso is rotating properly as you move from the upper position and go down into the downward swing position. It is important that you keep your torso moving as quickly as possible when swinging whilst ensuring that your back leg remains firm but is able to press forward. Doing this will help to build up the speed in your golf club head.

Step 3 Contact
It is important that you make the right kind of contact with the club head on the golf ball. As you begin to drive through with the club it is important that you concentrate on getting more energy into your hips and shoulders but keep your wrist firm and straight as the club makes contact with the ball. It is important that you do not snap your wrist at the bottom of the swing as this will actually decrease the amount of speed that the golf club head contains.

Step 4 Follow Through
When it comes to building up your golf swing techniques you need to be able to follow through correctly. If you do not then the accuracy of your shot and the power in your swing will be greatly diminished. It is important that your club ends up on the other side of the body to where it started in one smooth fluid movement.

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The golf swing is a dynamic movement that demands precise coordination of muscle contraction and relaxation, postural stability, strength, balance and body awareness. That is not to say that we cannot swing a golf club without these elements. The body does a great job in compensating for weakness and faulty movement. However, there is a downside to this compensation. The downside is inconsistency, loss of power, and muscle and joint pain. A well developed golf fitness program will help you develop the physical skills needed to consistently repeat a good golf swing, add power and distance to your shots, and help prevent, reduce and possibly even eliminate golf related pain and injury.

Since countless PGA professionals have proven the benefit of strength and conditioning, the demand for golf fitness trainers and training programs has increased tremendously. When looking for a trainer or golf fitness program beware all programs and trainers are not created equal. A sound golf fitness program should be built on the foundation of postural stability, muscle balance, and efficient movement. Many golf fitness programs put the cart before the horse by focusing on strength without addressing stability. Be very cautious of programs that advertise they will strengthen your golf muscles. Due to the repetition necessary to master the golf swing those targeted golf muscles are often already over developed and over tight in relation to the rest of the body. This common muscle imbalance causes inefficient muscle recruitment that leads to inconsistency, loss of power and increased incident of pain and injury. A qualified golf fitness professional knows that it takes practically every muscle in the body to complete a golf swing. Performing exercises that mimic the golf swing prior to establishing a strong foundation and good muscle balance will only strengthen the imbalance and lead to further inconsistency and greater chance of injury. As well as a strong foundation in exercise science a good golf fitness trainer or program should have a good understanding of biomechanics as they relate to the golf swing.

It is important to note that it may take a little time for your swing to adjust to your newly efficient body. The best way to see consistent improvement in your game as you train your body is to develop a relationship with a qualified PGA teaching professional. Integrating the play better longer fitness program with quality instruction will allow you to get the most out of your practice and playing time. A sound golf fitness program will help prepare your body to perform at its optimal level. Increased muscular efficiency and flexibility allow you to increase power and consistency while drastically reducing chances of pain and injury. You will not only be playing better, but you will be playing better longer!

Bill Scibetta, RN, NSCA-CPT
Bill is the founder and President of Precision Fitness Personal Training Centers in the Charlotte, NC area and co-author of the book Play Better Longer! Peak Performance and Injury Prevention for golf. Bill is a licensed Registered Nurse as well as a national Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer. After spending years practicing in the specialty of Orthopedics and sports Medicine, Bill has dedicated his career to helping individuals identify and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of optimal wellness and peak physical performance.